Man sought in police shooting; multiple removed from home in SWAT callout

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville police responded to multiple scenes following reports of gunshots fired Wednesday night.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office responded around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday to reports of gunshots near the intersection of Whitner and McConihe streets, which is near Edward Waters College.

Officers searched the area and didn't find anybody. However, officers found a man and woman nearby in the 17000 block of Tyler Street to ask if they had heard gunshots. Officers then left the area, as no victims were found, JSO said.

JSO then responded to the same area about an hour later to reports of a man on a bike firing a gun at a home.

An officer found the man on the bike, drove up to him and got out of his car. The man got off the bike and ran.

"(The man) reached into his backpack as he was running, retrieved an object which turned out to be a handgun and fired one time at the officer," said JSO Assistant Chief Scott Dingee. "Fortunately, the officer was not struck. The officer then returned fire with his department issued (gun) five times. At this time, we do not believe that the subject was struck either."

The man hasn’t been located. JSO said the handgun believed to have been fired at the officer was recovered at the scene. Police believe it is possible that the suspect has other firearms.

The officer was not injured, and it is not believed that the man was injured either. The officer involved has been with JSO for two years and doesn't have any shooting incidents.

Anyone who has any information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS. You can remain anonymous and receive a possible reward of up to $3,000.

Officers then responded to the home where the man is accused of shooting at, on 7th Street. Police believe the man, who is accused of shooting at the office, might be in the home.

SWAT then responded at about 5:30 a.m. to the home. Multiple people came out of the home voluntarily, JSO said. However, one person stayed in the home, possibly hiding.

Officers said they found one gun inside the home.

JSO is continuing to investigate.

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